Our principal aim is to fire pupils’ excitement and imagination through contact with the many great and moving elements of Classical culture.
Our principal aim is to fire pupils’ excitement and imagination through contact with the many great and moving elements of Classical culture.
Pupils are introduced to the significant realms of human experience and achievement: Greek and Roman language, literature (in its many forms), history, art and architecture, philosophy, religion, politics, law and science and technology.
The subject encourages pupils to develop powers of close observation and analysis.
Additionally, it instils a tolerant and sympathetic but objectively critical understanding of foreign morals, values and ethics as exemplified by Greek and Roman societies. In exploiting the perceived differences of cultures, pupils are able to reflect critically on their own modern environment.
Biennially the Department takes a party of Sixth Formers alternately to Greece and Italy during the Easter holiday.
In the Foundation Year (Year 9) Latin and Greek are optional subjects. Pupils who have studied the classical languages at their previous school are normally advised to continue with Latin and some pupils take it up as a new subject. Pupils who study Latin or Greek in the Foundation Year are able to continue those subjects to GCSE. In the Sixth Form, Latin and Greek are both offered at A level and within the International Baccalaureate. A level Classical Civilisation, which explores Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, Greek Tragedy, Greek Art and Architecture and Greek and Roman Comedy, is also a popular option for Sixth Formers.
The Classical Society meets three or four times per term in the Autumn and Lent terms to enable pupils to take part in a range of activities which will enhance their Classical educational experience. There are regular trips to the theatre, visits to museums and archaeological sites and pupils also attend lectures given by distinguished academics on Classical topics.
Classical Civilisation offers the opportunity to consider some of the thorniest questions of our modern era through the lens of our ancient past. What makes a hero a hero? What makes a good ruler? What power should we let our emotions have over our decisions? Where is the line between justice and revenge? What is the nature of the divine? How do humans conceive of their identity?
Examining ancient cultures and peoples, rather than modern ones, gives us the distance to consider relevant, exciting and tricky topics that have a huge impact on our own world like migration, democracy, death, community, leadership, and religion in an unbiased way. We can learn to become more aware of our own cultural baggage, the hidden aspects of our lives that shape the way we think, and we can become better at putting these to one side and approaching things objectively. In this way, Classical Civilisation makes you a good communicator, analyser, and a good problem solver: someone who can look at a situation from many different angles and both see and value many different perspectives.
Moreover, you will build these important life skills by examining closely some of the greatest stories and cities the world has ever seen. Among others you will explore: the Olympian gods, the myths of Hercules/Heracles, the founding stories and the cities of Athens and Rome. All written material is studied in translation, and no knowledge of Latin or Greek is required, though naturally the Classical subjects complement each other extremely well.
If you are struggling to choose between other humanities, like History, Geography or Religious Studies, you will likely find Classical Civilisation is perfect for you as it combines a little bit of them all. It will suit people who love to explore art and architecture, or who want to develop the unbiased mindset of a scientist or historian, or to examine how economics affects lives throughout history, or who love examining human emotion and experience: it has something for everyone. You might simply have loved the Percy Jackson books! Classical Civilisation complements almost every GCSE subject and develops key skills that support most other GCSE options.
You do not need to have taken Classical Civilisation in FY to take it at GCSE.
2-year OCR GCSE Course comprising two modules:
Assessment is by an examination in each module at the end of the two years.
“All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?” – Monty Python, The Life of Brian
Latin is the study of the language of the Romans, and thereby gives us access to a culture that, through its domination of North Africa, the Near East, and central and western Europe, has shaped much of the world. It allows us to examine Britain as a land colonised by a distant conqueror, and to reflect on how the language of Latin and the stories of the Romans have in turn been used as a weapon in the elitists’ colonial toolbox. It affords us the opportunity to explore incredible technology and incredible brutality, beautiful literature and thought constructed amidst a turbulent and often ugly society, and a language that has shaped much of our modern world, not only through itself but through its descendants. The study of Latin develops logic, language manipulation skills, an appreciation for accuracy, a broad English vocabulary, and independence of thought. It naturally pairs well with other Classical subjects, but additionally complements Maths, English, History and Modern Languages. Many students find their Latin exceptionally useful years after studying it – from reading early English or French, to accessing historical archive material, to taking up coding or Portuguese.
Whilst teaching the grammar required for GCSE, students will explore Roman history and culture from the early days of the Roman Republic (5th Century BC) to the early days of the Roman empire (1st Century AD).
The language course benefits from a defined vocabulary list of approximately 400 words which will be learnt thoroughly over the duration of the course. All words additional to this are glossed in the examination. Students are often at first apprehensive about what a literature paper involves, but find it is the best part of the course, as they explore a specific area of Roman culture in detail. The literature read changes year on year, but normally involves:
Latin GCSE is generally taken by students who have already studied Latin for at least one year, though for good linguists it is possible to start the course ab initio. It is encouraged that if you are an external applicant to the College who has not studied Latin before you contact the Head of Classics (hannah.clarke@malverncollege.org.uk) to discuss support that can be offered in the summer prior to your arrival.
2-year OCR GCSE Course comprising three modules:
Assessment is by an examination in each module at the end of the two years.
This course offers strong linguists the opportunity to study Classical Greek alongside Latin, enabling students to complete either a half or full GCSE in Classical Greek in addition to Latin GCSE within a single option block.
Students may complete a GCSE and a half, or two full GCSEs, allowing them to take 9.5 or 10 GCSEs rather than 9. This is made possible by very small class sizes, a strong foundation established in Year 9, excellent teaching, and highly motivated students.
“If the violin is the most perfect musical instrument, the Greek language is the violin of human thought.” – Helen Keller
“If the gods speak, they will surely use the language of the Greeks.” – Cicero
Studying Ancient Greek encourages students to question the fundamentals of life: who we are, where we come from, the nature and purpose of the world around us, and how humans create and interpret narratives about these ideas.
While learning the grammar required for the half or full GCSE, students will explore a wide range of Greek literature and culture, including:
As in Latin, the course benefits from a defined vocabulary list of approximately 400 words, learned thoroughly over the duration of the course. Any additional vocabulary is glossed in the examination.
The study of Ancient Greek develops logic, precision, language manipulation skills, a broad English vocabulary, and independence of thought. Its close relationship with Latin strengthens both subjects while opening access to one of the most influential cultures and bodies of literature in human history.
Taken by only around 1,000 pupils nationwide at GCSE, Classical Greek is a distinctive subject that helps students stand out academically while developing transferable intellectual skills.
Pupils will follow:
Students can decide at the midpoint of the course whether to continue to the full GCSE in Classical Greek.
Why Latin?
‘All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?’
The Latin and Classical Greek courses aim to:
Both Latin and Greek offer deep engagement with ancient languages, literature, and cultures. Students develop advanced language and analytical skills while exploring works that form the foundation of European intellectual tradition.
At Standard Level, the emphasis is on linguistic development and textual understanding. Higher Level offers further challenge through additional literary analysis and an extended internal assessment, including optional prose composition. Through translating, analysing, and contextualising original texts, students build resilience in problem-solving, logical reasoning, and stylistic awareness – skills highly valued by universities and employers.
Core texts are studied in the original; companion texts in both Latin/Greek and English
Students receive full guidance and skill preparation for internal assessments, which provide opportunities to explore areas of personal interest within the ancient world.
Grade 7 or higher in GCSE Latin/Greek, or equivalent. The Advanced (Größes) Latinum/Graecum is an equivalent qualification, and if you have studied at a Liceo Classico for at least 2 years this is also a good starting place.
If you have not taken GCSEs, (or have done the Intermediate (Kleines) Latinum/Graecum), please contact the Head of Classics hannah.clarke@malverncollege.org.uk, who can help you decide whether your level of Latin/Greek will enable you to feel confident in undertaking the IB course.